Belize's Best-Kept Secret: Exploring The Charming San Pedro District

San Pedro is a town on the southern part of Ambergris Caye, the largest island in Belize. It is located in the Belize District of the nation of Belize, in Central America. San Pedro is the capital of Ambergris Caye and was founded in 1848. The town has a population of about 16,444, making it the second-largest town in the Belize District. San Pedro is known for its beautiful beaches, clear turquoise sea, and vibrant tourism industry. It is a popular destination for scuba diving, snorkelling, and other water activities.

San Pedro's location and transport

San Pedro is a town on the southern tip of Ambergris Caye, an island in the Belize District of Belize in Central America. The town is the island's major settlement and capital, and was granted township status in 1984. San Pedro is named after the patron saint of fishing, St. Peter.

Ambergris Caye is the largest of the hundreds of cayes (keys) scattered up and down the coast of Belize. The island is about 25 miles long but never more than a few miles wide. It is located in the very north of Belize, about 35 miles east of Belize City and 14 miles north of Caye Caulker.

The closest international airport to Ambergris Caye is Philip Goldson International Airport (PGIA) near Belize City. From there, travellers can take a domestic flight or a water taxi to the island. Domestic flights to San Pedro cost approximately $80 and take around 25-30 minutes, offering fantastic views of the Belize Barrier Reef and neighbouring islands. Water taxis leave on an hourly basis from 8 am to 5:30 pm and cost $30.50 one way or $56.50 return.

Once on Ambergris Caye, transportation options include walking, biking, golf carts, taxis, trucks, private vehicles, and resort ferries. Golf carts and bicycles are the principal mode of transport on the island. Golf carts can be rented, and many hotels offer free bikes to their guests.

San Pedro has an airstrip with regular connections to the mainland, as well as a water taxi dock with connections to Belize City and nearby islands.

Population and demographics

San Pedro is a town on the southern part of the island of Ambergris Caye, in the Belize District of Belize, Central America. It was granted township status in 1984 and has a population of approximately 16,444 as of 2015 estimates, making it the second-largest town in the Belize District. However, other sources put the population at 10,000 or 20,000, with a large number of tourists visiting the town every year.

The original inhabitants of San Pedro, known as San Pedranos, are Mestizos, and most of them originally came from Mexico. They speak both Spanish and English fluently, with English being the first language for most. Due to the influence of English-based Kriol, some San Pedranos also speak an intermediate form between English and Spanish, known as "Kitchen Spanish". It is said that one is not a true San Pedrano if they don't know how to fish.

The population of San Pedro has grown over the years, with an increasing number of newcomers from the mainland and abroad. The town has become a popular tourist destination, with protected areas such as Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, and Bacalarchico. The Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world, is one of San Pedro's most prized possessions and a major attraction for divers.

The demographics of Belize, and by extension San Pedro, have been influenced by colonisation, slavery, and immigration. The country has a diverse range of ethnic groups, languages, and cultures. While Mestizos account for 50% of the country's population, there are also significant populations of Belizean Creoles (21%), Garinagu (4.5%), Asians, East Indians, and expatriate Americans and Africans.

History and settlement

San Pedro Town is located in the Belize District of Belize, in Central America. It is the second-largest town in the Belize District and the largest in the Belize Rural South constituency.

San Pedro is the capital of Ambergris Caye, Belize's biggest island. The town is situated on the southern part of the island, which is around 25 miles long and a little over a mile wide in some places. Ambergris Caye is the largest of the 200-plus islands of Belize and is made up of three main areas: mangrove swamps, lagoons, and sand. The name Ambergris Caye comes from its past as a trading post in Mayan times. The Maya population is evidenced by the Marco Gonzalez ruins and the Basil Jones site. The narrow channel that separates Mexico and Belize was created by the Maya to facilitate trade between the bay of Chetumal and the Caribbean.

The first permanent settlers of San Pedro, which was then a fishing village, arrived between 1848 and 1849. They were likely relatives of fishermen who had previously built camps on the cayes and moved their families to the safety of the island when the Santa Cruz Maya revolted. There were initially only four families, soon joined by others from Bacalar in Mexico. The settlement grew to a village of about 30 houses and over 50 inhabitants. The refugees were farmers and fishermen who continued these trades in San Pedro.

Over time, San Pedro became a popular tourist destination, with attractions such as the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, Shark Ray Alley, and the Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest in the world. In 1984, San Pedro was officially granted township status. The town's first mayor was Gilberto Chico Gomez.

Today, San Pedro is known for its festivals, including El Gran Carnaval de San Pedro, which dates back to the 1870s. The town has a population of around 16,444, although Ambergris Caye attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists annually. Most of the inhabitants, known as San Pedranos, are descendants of Mexican immigrants. While English is the primary language, many San Pedranos also speak Spanish.

Economy and industry

San Pedro, Belize, is a town on the southern part of Ambergris Caye, the biggest island in Belize. It is the second-largest town in the Belize District and the largest in the Belize Rural South constituency. San Pedro has a population of around 16,444-20,000 people, but it attracts hundreds of thousands of tourists every year, making it the country's most popular tourist destination.

The town's economy is largely driven by the tourism and hospitality industry. San Pedro offers a range of accommodations, from modest guest houses to luxurious beach resorts and condos. The town's restaurants serve fresh seafood, including lobster, conch, and fish, caught daily by the local fishing community.

Scuba diving is a significant draw for tourists in San Pedro, with the Belize Barrier Reef, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, and Shark Ray Alley being popular diving spots. The town has two hyperbaric decompression chambers to cater to the large number of divers who visit. Other water-based activities include windsurfing, kiteboarding, sea kayaking, sailing, snorkelling, and fishing.

The town's infrastructure supports the tourism industry with an airstrip, water taxi dock, resorts, hotels, banks, shops, and even a gourmet farmer's market. The primary mode of transportation within San Pedro is by bicycle or electric golf cart, adding to the town's relaxed, laid-back atmosphere.

In addition to tourism, San Pedro has a historical fishing industry, with excellent fishing facilities. The town's original inhabitants, the "San Pedranos," were Mestizo, with a strong fishing tradition. While tourism has now surpassed fishing as the primary economic activity, fishing remains an important part of the local economy and the town's cultural identity.

San Pedro's vibrant festivals, such as the raucous Carnival, Lobsterfest, and the International Costa Maya Festival, also attract visitors and contribute to the local economy.

The cost of living in San Pedro is significantly higher than in the rest of Belize due to its island location. Property prices and utility costs are notably higher, with beachfront condominiums exceeding $500,000 and rental prices for one-bedroom apartments surpassing $1,000 per month.

Overall, San Pedro's economy is heavily reliant on tourism, hospitality, and, to a lesser extent, fishing. The town's natural attractions, including the Belize Barrier Reef and its protected marine reserves, combined with its vibrant culture and festivals, make it a popular destination for visitors from around the world.

Food and drink

San Pedro in Belize has a wide variety of food and drink options, from inexpensive local spots to some of the finest restaurants in the world. The emphasis is often on seafood, but chicken, pork, and vegetarian options are also widely available.

Local Specialities

Local specialities include Belizean stews and curries, Maya-Mestizo food, and dishes featuring coconut and plantains. For an authentic taste of Belize, try El Fogon, a budget-friendly spot for traditional Belizean food cooked over an open fire. Other good options for traditional Belizean food include El Patio, Robin's Kitchen, and Hungry Grouper. For a taste of the famous Maya-Mestizo food, head to Elvi's Kitchen for their Grand Mayan Buffet on Fridays.

International Options

For international options, head to Mambo Restaurant and Bistro for Caribbean fusion, or Rain Restaurant & Rooftop Terrace for world cuisine. For French food, try The French Touch, or the more casual French Croissant bakery. For Asian food, JYOTO Japanese Cuisine and Pupuseria Salvadoreno are good options. For Italian, Pueblo 1959 Restaurant is a popular choice.

Fine Dining

For a more upscale dining experience, try Hidden Treasure Restaurant, which offers a romantic setting and a menu featuring Caribbean seafood with a contemporary twist. Other fine dining options include Mambo Restaurant and Bistro, and Palmilla Restaurant, which is known for its elegant setting and high-quality food.

Bars and Casual Spots

For a more casual experience, there are plenty of bars and beachside spots to choose from. Waruguma is great for affordable meals, including pupusas and lobster burritos. Blue Water Grill is a lively spot with a mix of locals and tourists, and is known for its sushi nights. For a unique over-the-water dining experience, try Palapa Bar and Grill, which also has live music. For drinks with a view, head to the rooftop bar at Rain Restaurant & Rooftop Terrace, or the beachfront bar at Luna.

Food Tours

To get a real taste of local San Pedro food, consider joining a food tour. Belize Food Tours offers a walking tour of local "mom and pop" kitchens, where you can meet the families behind the food and learn about the history and culture of the area.

Groceries

For those who want to cook their own meals, there are several grocery stores and markets in San Pedro. The Greenhouse is a popular option for fresh produce and seafood, and there is also a weekly farmer's market at Banyan Bay.

Drinks

In terms of drinks, Belize is known for its rum, and there are several rum bars in San Pedro, including the Belize Chocolate Company, which offers bean-to-bar craft chocolate and chocolate-based drinks. For coffee, try Marbuck's Coffee House, which serves specialty coffee and fresh fruit smoothies. For something stronger, head to one of the many beach bars, such as Luna, which serves tropical cocktails, or the famous chicken drop at Wahoo's Lounge.

Frequently asked questions